Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Hayden finally agreed to treat Cheryl to an extravagant dinner as thanks for helping Yasmine.
Throughout the meal, Cheryl felt a mix of emotions Finally, she couldn’t help but give Yasmine a meaningful look.
Yasmine took the hint and said to Hayden, “Could you grab me some coffee?”
Without question, Hayden stood and walked away.
Yasmine relaxed into her chair. “Alright, out with it. What’s eating you?”
Cheryl gave her a pitiful look. “Yasmine, doesn’t this feel a little awkward to you?”
Yasmine calmly sliced her steak, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Should I leave?”
Cheryl rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on, everyone knows the Guzman brothers are hopelessly devoted to you. If you left, Hayden would chase after you in a heartbeat–then my whole police station performance would be wasted!”
She had grown fond of their trio dynamic. After the joke, she turned serious. “But honestly, I never pegged Sebastian for such underhanded tactics.”
When covert surveillance failed, he’d gone straight for the jugular. What company wouldn’t sweat under sudden audits? Luckily, Yasmine had cleaned up Tieline’s finances when she took over–otherwise Sebastian’s attack might have sunk them.
Cheryl exhaled heavily. “Yasmine, you’re so brilliant. Why couldn’t you see things clearly with Sebastian back then?” Even now, it baffled her.
Yasmine’s knife paused mid–cut. Fragments of three years ago flickered through her mind before she quickly steadied herself. “Guess I was just blind.” Only it wasn’t her eyes that were blind, it was her heart.
In youth, she foolishly believed passion alone could thaw even the coldest hearts and had lost herself completely in the process. Looking back on her three years at the Zimmerman residence, she found it almost laughable.
Hayden returned just in time to catch Yasmine’s remark. He shot Cheryl a warning glance.
Cheryl sheepishly stuck out her tongue. ‘I need to stop mentioning that asshole. Old scars still ache when poked. I should really learn to keep my big
mouth shut.‘
After dinner, Cheryl waved off Yasmine’s offer to drive her home. “Nah, I’ve already pissed off that jerk today. Who knows what he’ll pull next? You two should get going.”
Yasmine didn’t argue. “Be careful.” She glanced at Hayden with a smirk. “Put this favor on Hayden’s tab.”
Cheryl beamed, while Hayden shook his head in resignation.
After seeing Yasmine and Hayden off, Cheryl browsed the nearby mall before casually heading to the parking garage.
Suddenly, the sharp click of dress shoes echoed behind Cheryl. She froze and then slowly turned to see Sebastian. Instantly, her stiff body relaxed into casual ease. “Mr. Zimmerman, what a coincidence.”
Sebastian nodded, his eyes icy. “Where’s Yasmine?
Cheryl played dumb. “Who?”
Sebastian’s brow furrowed. He gave her a long, hard look, then abruptly left.
‘I’m all geared up for a showdown, but he just walked away?‘ Cheryl thought. Bewildered, she turned toward her car, only to gasp in horror–where were
her tires?
1/2
Chapter 26
Just then, a Maybach screeched to a stop beside her. The window lowered to reveal Sebastian’s stern face, “What terrible timing us, chipman’s trouble?” he asked, his eyes filled with feigned pity.
